VISITORS to Ipswich's cemetery will no longer be allowed to drive their cars through the main gates from this weekend due to safety reasons.A notice has been put up on the main gates in Cemetery Road to warn people that the change will take effect from Saturday, March 1 - the day before Mother's Day.

VISITORS to Ipswich's cemetery will no longer be allowed to drive their cars through the main gates from this weekend due to safety reasons.

A notice has been put up on the main gates in Cemetery Road to warn people that the change will take effect from Saturday, March 1 - the day before Mother's Day.

However this has prompted fears of increased traffic and parking problems for residents.

Ipswich Borough Council claims the gates are being closed for a trial period to stop cars from speeding through the cemetery as a shortcut to Belvedere Road, which puts school children who walk through there at risk. All cars are requested to use the side entrance instead.

Julie Brown, 52, who has lived in Cemetery Road for 19 years, said: “They have decided to shut the main gates to cars the day before Mother's Day (March 2) which is one of the busiest days of the year for the cemetery.

“It is going to lead to traffic problems. It is bad enough to find a parking space here on a normal day but after this, people will just want to leave their cars and go and visit their loved ones' graves.

“If they lock the main gates, people have to go all the way round and it is going to be complete bedlam. All the residents are going to be jammed in.

“It seems like there has been no thought about the people coming up here. I don't think it is very compassionate for those visiting graves.”

Ms Brown was also upset that the council did not consult the residents on this matter and so there was not an opportunity to submit any comments about it.

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council said: “The main gates will shut for a trial period. The reason being is some irresponsible motorists use the cemetery as a shortcut between the Cemetery Road and Belvedere Road. It is putting the safety of children who are walking through there on their way to school, at risk. Police are aware of these incidents.

“We are trying to stop people using the shortcut. We will not take any risk with children's safety. We cannot wait for an accident to happen. We will see how the trial works and monitor the situation. We hope people understand that people's safety is our absolute concern.”

What do you think of this change? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.